2001 Mercury Sable brakes

Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. The amount of
weight you can safely tow depends on the type of engine you have in
your vehicle. Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped
to tow. No towing packages are available through Ford or
Mercury/Lincoln dealers. Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 800 km (500 miles). If towing with a station wagon, inflate
the rear tires to 35 psi.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transaxle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.
In order to identify your vehicle's engine, refer toIdentifying
components in the engine compartmentin the Maintenance and Care
chapter.
The amount of weight that you can tow depends on the type of engine in
your vehicle. See the following charts:
3.0L 2-Valve Vulcan Engine
Model Passenger Load -
#/kg (lbs.)Luggage Load -
kg (lbs.)Max Trailer Wt.-
kg (lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750) 0 365 (800)
4/270 (600) 70 (150) 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 500 (1 100)
2/135 (300) 0 565 (1 250)
Wagon 4/270 (600) 0 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 430 (950)
2/135 (300) 0 500 (1 100)
The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at a maximum GCW
(Vehicle weight + Trailer weight) equal to 2 245 kg (4 950 lbs.).
Driving
130

Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
This will eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum
fuel economy and transaxle cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
Driving
132

BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid from
a clean un-opened container until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer toLubricant specifications
in theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
MAX
Maintenance and care
160

Any gasoline spilled on the vehicle or deposits such as bird droppings
should be washed and sponged off as soon as possible. Deposits not
removed promptly can cause damage to the vehicle's paintwork.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car
wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it
is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and
paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a
clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which appear
coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507±BA), Lacquer
Touch-up Paint (#ALBZ-19500±XXXXA), or Exterior Acrylic Spray
Lacquer (#ALAZ-19500±XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line.
Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with
your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on
the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Maintenance and care
205

A
Accessory delay ..........................57
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ............96±97, 101
and child safety seats ..............99
description ........................97, 101
disposal ....................................103
driver air bag ............97, 100, 102
indicator light .....................13, 99
operation ...................97, 100, 102
passenger air bag .....97, 100, 102
side air bag ..............................101
Air cleaner filter .......................210
Air conditioning ..........................19
automatic temperature
control system ..........................23
Air filter, cabin ..........................170
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................162
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................118±119
Anti-theft system ........................67
arming the system ....................67
disarming a triggered system ..68
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........29
Automatic transaxle .................123
driving with .............................125
fluid, adding ............................168
fluid, checking ........................168
fluid, refill capacities ..............211
fluid, specification ..................213
Auxiliary power point .................29
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........212B
Battery .......................................175
acid, treating emergencies .....175
charging system
warning light .............................13
jumping a disabled battery ....147
maintenance-free ....................175
replacement, specifications ...210
servicing ..................................175
Belt minder .................................92
Brakes ........................................118
anti-lock ...........................118±119
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........11, 119
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....160
fluid, refill capacities ..............211
fluid, specifications .........212±213
lubricant specifications ..212±213
parking ....................................120
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............46
shift interlock ..........................123
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....211
Cargo area shade ........................62
Cargo cover .................................61
Cargo net .....................................61
CD changer .................................42
Cellular telephone
Wireless Interface Module .......54
Certification Label ....................215
Child safety restraints ..............104
child safety belts ....................104
Index
231

high beam .............................8, 17
replacing bulbs .......................193
turning on and off ....................17
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................19
heating and
air conditioning system ............19
Hood ..........................................154
I
Ignition .................................47, 213
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................105
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................191
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................208
cluster ..................................8, 208
lighting up
panel and interior .....................18
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................143
positioning ...............................143
storage .....................................143
Jump-starting your vehicle ......147
K
Keyless entry system .................69
autolock .....................................71
keypad .......................................69
locking and unlocking doors ....71
programming entry code .........70
Keys .......................................73, 75
key in ignition chime ...............13positions of the ignition ...........47
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................18
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................201
cargo lamps ...............................18
daytime running light ...............17
fog lamps ...................................18
headlamps .................................17
headlamps, flash to pass ..........17
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps .............52±53, 201
replacing
bulbs ........192±193, 195±197, 200
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Liftgate ..................................60, 64
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................13
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 119
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................12
cruise indicator .........................12
door ajar ......................................9
fuel cap light ...............................9
high beam ...................................8
low coolant ................................11
low fuel ......................................11
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................9
speed control ............................50
traction control active ................8
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits .................................128
Index
234